Massena Chamber prepares for todays Heritage Festival

MASSENA - Approximately 40 parade participants will be marching this morning from Water Street to the Massena Arena for the 33rd annual Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce Heritage Festival.

And, when they get to the arena, they and other visitors will be met by about 65 vendors whose booths fill the inside of the facility.

We are absolutely full, chamber Executive Director Michael J. Gleason said Friday afternoon as he, his staff and volunteers set up for todays event.

We have a lot of different vendors weve never had. Theyre coming from all over - Waddington, Canton, Malone, Ogdensburg, Massena, he said.

There will be something for everybody, Mr. Gleason said.

Booths will include the U.S. Border Patrol, the Massena Police Department promoting prescription drug awareness, the Massena Masonic Lodge providing their Child Safety ID program and the Massena Rescue Squad.

Also among those on hand will be cell phone companies, a real estate company, Enbridge St. Lawrence Gas, Peak Sports Solutions, the Boy Scouts, Jules Jewels, Phil and Jackies, Fabulous Focals by Linda and Gold Candy.

The chamber will have its food booth, and the list goes on.

Its very diverse. We have a little bit of heritage from the north country, Mr. Gleason said.

The parade kicks things off at 9 a.m., heading down Main Street, left on Bowers Street, right on Grove Street and down to the Massena Arena. There were 25 to 30 entrants last year.

Inside the arena, visitors will find not only vendors, but a day full of entertainment that includes the Trinity Catholic School Band at 9:45 a.m., the Massena All-School Band at 10:15 a.m., Gotta Dance Studio at 11 a.m., Tap-To-Toe Studio of Dance students at 12 p.m., The Acoustic Brothers at 1 p.m. and Me and Floyd at 3 p.m.

There will be activities for the kids, too, with a bounce house thats free for children under 12, and a petting zoo and pony rides from Breezy Maple Farms.

We changed a few things as far as entertainment and outside because the carnival is not here anymore, Mr. Gleason said.

One free adult admission will be offered for every entry purchased for a chance to win a round-trip Cape Air flight from Massena to Albany or Boston.

The Heritage Festival runs until 4 p.m., but that doesnt mean the fun in Massena is over for the weekend. Thirty-three racers are scheduled to get behind the wheels of their cars starting at 9 a.m. Sunday for the 24th annual Soap Box Derby on outer East Orvis Street.

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